'Joba-The-Not' charged with impersonating Yankee

New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain throws against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning of a spring training baseball game in Lakeland, Fla., Saturday, March 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By AP&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Thu 4:21 PM, Jan 15, 2009&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Thu 4:51 PM, Jan 15, 2009

BELMAR, N.J. (AP) -- If New York Yankees star Joba Chamberlain really WAS at the Jersey shore, wouldn't he ask for something better than a bagel? That question apparently was never asked when a Toms River man with a strong resemblance to the Yankee pitcher allegedly implied that he was Chamberlain. Ryan Ward, 30, was charged with theft by deception and disorderly conduct, and could get more than a year in jail if convicted.

He's charged with scamming a Belmar bagel shop out of free food last summer after allegedly telling an employee, "Do you know who I am?" and pointing to a photo of Chamberlain in a newspaper sports section.

Police said he signed autographs and promised women free Yankee tickets.

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